Significance of Methuselah?

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IslandBrow

IslandBrow

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2018
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Genesis 5:22 seems to indicate that it was AFTER the birth of Methuselah that Enoch walked with God. What was significant about the birth of Methuselah? His name means "When he dies, judgement” or “when he is dead, it will be sent.” It says he went on to live 969 years. In fact, he died the same year as the Flood of Genesis 7. Was there a prophecy of impending destruction associated with Methuselah's birth that caused Enoch to turn his heart to God?

We typically think that God's patience with the wickedness of mankind was only during the 120 years it took Noah to build the ark. However, if it was revealed to Enoch that God would destroy the world, thereby prompting Enoch to name his son for that occasion, then the patience of God with the wickedness of mankind lasted almost 1000 years!

Was Methuselah's long life (the longest ever) a testimony to the longsuffering and patience of God?
 
IslandBrow said:
Was Methuselah's long life (the longest ever) a testimony to the longsuffering and patience of God?
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You may have a point there. At the same time the wording in verse 22 can be interpreted in two ways: (1) Enoch walked with God only after he had Methuselah or (2) he had already been walking with God, and then walked another 300 years with God before he was raptured/translated/taken up to Heaven. I believe Enoch was already very close to God from early in his life, therefore he was taken up to Heaven. We read in Hebrews that he pleased God because of his faith.
 
​Methuselah lived longer than anyone has ever lived, 969 years; he apparently died just before Noah's flood; despite his Godly father, there is no record that he lived for God.
 
IslandBrow said:
We typically think that God's patience with the wickedness of mankind was only during the 120 years it took Noah to build the ark.
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i typically think that 'God's patience with the wickedness of mankind' is from the dawn of time to the end of the age.

we don't know how long it took to build the ark; "120 years" is said based on inferring ((possibly forcing)) symbolism in Genesis 6:3, where Noah is not at all the subject of the text.
 
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MessageOfTheCross said:
​Methuselah lived longer than anyone has ever lived, 969 years
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*his is the longest recorded human age in the scripture.
the Bible doesn't actually say 'he lived longer than anyone else' -- that's inference which may or may not be true.

it is significant that his name testifies of patience in withholding judgement, and that the scripture records no longer earthly lifespan - and i do think that is purposeful, for us to see, the greatness of the longsuffering of God.
 
IslandBrow said:
Was there a prophecy of impending destruction associated with Methuselah's birth that caused Enoch to turn his heart to God?
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what would it mean if Enoch walked with God *only* because of fear of impending destruction? or even *partially* ?
what would that say about Enoch's relationship with God, and what would that say about what 'walking with Him' consists of and is based on?

perfect love casts out fear. does it begin with fear, and then work fear out of itself as it matures?
does perfect love change when it is old into something different than what it was when it was young?
 
posthuman said:
what would it mean if Enoch walked with God *only* because of fear of impending destruction? or even *partially* ?
what would that say about Enoch's relationship with God, and what would that say about what 'walking with Him' consists of and is based on?

perfect love casts out fear. does it begin with fear, and then work fear out of itself as it matures?
does perfect love change when it is old into something different than what it was when it was young?
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​What book or website are you reading? Depart from it!
 
posthuman said:
um, i'm reading 1 John ((chapter 4)) and i'm logged onto Christianchat's Bible discussion forum... ??
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Blessings
Bill
 
969 x 37 = 35853

35853 is the same number backwards and forwards. Therefore the KJV is the only... Oh nevermind! :D
 
MessageOfTheCross said:
​Methuselah lived longer than anyone has ever lived, 969 years; he apparently died just before Noah's flood; despite his Godly father, there is no record that he lived for God.
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True enough. But that does not mean that Methuselah was not a man of faith. No doubt his father would have influenced him over a long period. In the Book of Jasher he is described as joining with Noah to turn men back to righteousness.

Book of Jasher Chapter 5

22 In that time, the Lord said to Noah and Methuselah, Stand forth and proclaim to the sons of men all the words that I spoke to you in those days, peradventure they may turn from their evil ways, and I will then repent of the evil and will not bring it.

23. And Noah and Methuselah stood forth, and said in the ears of the sons of men, all that God had spoken concerning them.

24. But the sons of men would not hearken, neither would they incline their ears to all their declarations.
 
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